Another possibility in car fires of "yesteryear"... Overheated catalytic converters touching off grass under cars parked on said grass on dry days. Although the car fire was secondary to brush fire, it still was caused by the vehicle!

Another cause of vehicle fires...careless disposal of smoking materials!

I have been to a few car fires that started when a smoker tossed their cigarette butt out of the window instead of using the ashtray... only to have the slipstream of the vehicle pull it back into the car! D'oh!

‎"The education of a firefighter and the continued education of a firefighter is what makes "real" firefighters. Continuous skill development is the core of progressive firefighting. We learn by doing and doing it again and again, both on the training ground and the fireground."
Lt. Ray McCormack, FDNY

‎"The education of a firefighter and the continued education of a firefighter is what makes "real" firefighters. Continuous skill development is the core of progressive firefighting. We learn by doing and doing it again and again, both on the training ground and the fireground."
Lt. Ray McCormack, FDNY

IACOJ both divisions and PROUD OF IT !
Pardon me sir.. .....but I believe we are all over here !
ATTENTION ALL SHOPPERS: Will the dead horse please report to the forums.(thanks Motown) RAY WAS HERE 08/28/05
LETHA' FOREVA' ! 010607
I'm sorry, I haven't been paying much attention for the last 3 hours.....what were we discussing?
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Strangely we often see vehicle fires after it rains. The water gets into the electrical system and ignites wires and computer systems. I've knocked down a couple of these I've rolled up on by using a couple small 5lb ABC extinguishers I keep in the trunk of my car.

Originally posted by CaptainGonzo Another cause of vehicle fires...careless disposal of smoking materials!

I have been to a few car fires that started when a smoker tossed their cigarette butt out of the window instead of using the ashtray... only to have the slipstream of the vehicle pull it back into the car! D'oh!

One Sunday at around 6am we had a call for a car fire. On the way there from the station we passed a guy walking along the side of the road which we of course didn't think much of at the time. When we got there we had a brand new Jeep Wrangler fully involved blocking the entrance to an apartment complex with no driver around. Well, we knock it down and call the plate # in to the police.

After packing up, we head back to the hose and notice that there are police cars at the house across the street. The police came over and told us that the owner of the jeep lived across the street. They then asked if we saw a man walking when we responded because the guy claimed he had been at home drinking all night and that someone must have stolen his car. We all started to laugh because we realized that he was the guy we passed on the way to the call. I never heard any update on it since that day but our best guess at the time was that the guy was drunk and dropped his cigarette while driving. He then proceeded to stop the jeep where it was (on the side of the road in front of the apt. complex entrance), freaked out and walked home.

‎"The education of a firefighter and the continued education of a firefighter is what makes "real" firefighters. Continuous skill development is the core of progressive firefighting. We learn by doing and doing it again and again, both on the training ground and the fireground."
Lt. Ray McCormack, FDNY

Wannabe, I have investigated a number of vehicle fires with that exact senario. Most often happens on older cars that do not have a thermostaticly controlled fan that comes on even after the car has been shut down. What happens after a long run and the car is immediatly shut down is that the car will continue to heat up before it starts to cool and it is then that the ignition occurs. Usually around intake/exhaust manifolds that are covered with grease and grime is where you will find the origin/seat of the fire. This can happen upwards of 2 hours after the car has been shut down and is discovered fully involved in the garage. Leaves the owner standing there scratching his head.

Not sure if this counts but about 15 years ago we had a guy who had the big MI while pulling into his garage. The car stopped at the back wall but his foot was still on the gas. The spinning tires ignited some indoor/outdoor carpet which lit off the car, the garage and the rest of the house.

Back to the subject, as an investigator I would have to say arson, followed by broken fluid lines or electrical shorts. At least thats what I see the most.

Amplifiers, if not properly fused. I have seen battery
cable sized wires un fused running under carpet throgh
the passenger compartment to the trunk get pinched, over heat
and start the carpet on fire. And yes I am ashamed to admit
it I wired a cig lighter plug to power a bag cell phone
(any one remember them?) and thought it would be a great idea
to have the plug come up between the truck seat so the wires
were not in the way. Worked great until one day I forgot
to plug the phone in. my spare keys hanging from my belt
inserted them selves into the lighter socket. Caught my
truck seat, wires and ***** on fire. Its funny now but I wasnt
smilin then.

Originally posted by Cellblock776 Strangely we often see vehicle fires after it rains. The water gets into the electrical system and ignites wires and computer systems. I've knocked down a couple of these I've rolled up on by using a couple small 5lb ABC extinguishers I keep in the trunk of my car.

IACOJ both divisions and PROUD OF IT !
Pardon me sir.. .....but I believe we are all over here !
ATTENTION ALL SHOPPERS: Will the dead horse please report to the forums.(thanks Motown) RAY WAS HERE 08/28/05
LETHA' FOREVA' ! 010607
I'm sorry, I haven't been paying much attention for the last 3 hours.....what were we discussing?
"but I guarentee you I will FF your arse off" from>http://www.firehouse.com/forums/show...60#post1137060post 115